Paper crimper and stacker



July l1, 1950 G. G. sAPP PAPER CRIMPER AND STACKER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed sept. 13, 194e July 11,195o G @SAPP v 2,514,391y

. PAPER CRIMPER AND STACKER Filed Sept. l13, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 6em/d6. Sapp JNVENToR.

BY @am www 52H55@ l mined path of travel. i

Patented .uy 11:," 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAPER CRIMPER ANDSTACKER Gerald G. Sapp, Damascus, Va., y Application September 13, 1948,Serial No. 49,087

This invention relates to a novel device for forming straight fold edgesin sheets of material and has for its primary object to crimp orcorrugate and stack sheets of paper, suchy as employed in themanufacture of honeycombs, in a uniform and reliable manner.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a machine forcrimping a continuous strip of paper or vsimilar pressable sheets ofother material, such as sheet metal, cardboard or the like, which willbe automatic in operation to receive a continuous strip of material atone end, convey the strip from a supply source, such as a roll, drum orthe like, and simultaneously form folds in thestrip and stack the strip,after fold formations, in a die or box at ment for a predeterminedperiod of travel.

A meritorius feature of this linvention resides in the combination of apairof upper and lower carriers, having a plurality of transverselydisposed teeth, which are moved into meshing engagement responsive to`movement of the carrier and travel of the teeth over actuatingl means,with means provided for retaining the teeth in `meshing engagement for apredeter- Yet another important feature of this invention resides in theprovision ofl means for resiliently anchoring the complementary teeth intransverse position between a pair of lower chains and a pair'of upperchains `or conveyors, the

15 Claims. (Cl. 154-30) attained by this invention, a preferredembodiment of which is set forth in the following specication andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: o i

Figure; is a vertical sectional view taken on a central longitudinalplane through the machine, showing a portion of the teeth andappurtenant structure in section, with the opposite side ofthe frame forthe machine shown in elevation;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the transverse plane ofline 2-2 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of the housing or casing transverselydisposed in spaced formaon line 5-,5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is'an enlarged sectional view, illustrating the meshingengagement of the complementary upper and lower teeth, the same beingdisposed in coactive pressing engagement on a o continuous strip ofmaterial, and

Figure 7 is a view in perspective of the means provided for receivingthe crimped or corrugated strip of material.

The paper crimping machine, generally designated by the referencecharacter l0 and generally illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 comprises abase platform l2 upon which are mounted a pair of laterally opposed endstandards or posts I4 and a similar end pair I6. Each of thelongitudinally opposed posts of the pairs I4 and i5 are rigidiiied andconnected by longitudinally extending brace bars I8 and 20, which alsoserve as supporting means for appurtenant structure of the machine.l

Axles or shafts 22, 24, 26 and 28 are `trans-- versely disposed betweenthe pairs of end stand'- ards, as seen in Figure 1, with the extendingend of each of the axles rotatably journaled in conventional journalboxes or the like 30, and the shafts22 and 24`placed in spaced verticalalignment between the pair of posts I4 and the shafts 26 and 28 placedin longitudinal alignment therewith between the posts I6. A pair oftransverselyaligned and spaced sprockets 32 or similar gear or drivetransmittingy members are secured on the shaft 22 and a similar pair ofsprockets `34 are carried by the shaft 26 in longitudinal alignment withvthesprockets 32; A pair of chains 36 and 38 are vtrained over andcommunicate with the sprockets, the entire assembly defining an upperpair of carriers or endless conveyors 4i). In an identical fashion, alower pair of carriers or conveyors 42 is provided and has a similarpath travel in close relation with the upper pair. The lower pair ofcarriers comprises a pair of transversely aligned sprockets 45 carriedby the shaft 24 and a complementary pair 46, carried by the shaft 28with endless conveyor or chains 48 or similar flexible connectingmembers connected rwith the respectively longitudinally alignedsprockets of the pairs M and 46.

The chains 36 and 38 are formed in a similar manner and comprise aplurality of parallel links 50 which are interconnected by solid bars 52pivotally connected between the opposing'endsof the parallel links, asseen in Figure 3.

A plurality of channel members Eel, constituting housings or casings,are transversely .disposed between the upper and lower pairs of chains.For this purpose, the channel members l are formed at their Yopposing:extremities with extending flanges .56 and 58 which areapertured` as at6U to receive a connecting member, such as-a rivet or the like 62, inassociation with ythe bars 52. Thus, the teeth housings are rested ontheltransversely opposing pairs of chains in a depending manner.

The `channel members 5,4 serve as housings or casings for the teeth 64,=as`seen in Figures 3, 4 and V6. The housings or casings have parallelopposed side walls 66 and SS joined :.byra straight bottom Vwall 'l0 andhaving an open top. The opposite ends of the bottom wall ll! are oisetform-ing extension .casings 12 and M The teeth 64, as seen in Figure 6,are generally lA-shaped and have a sguarebottom or base .portion 7.6,the opposing sides 'i8 andll of each of the teeth running upwardly andinwardly and converging at the'minor point or apex .82, so that themajor portion of the teeth is of triangular configuration. However, thesides 18 and t!) 4.are tpfnallelfat the base orsquare portion so thatthe sameslidably engage the vside walls '.66 and "58 of the `(,:asing,54, which is necessary to assure the rigid and upright position of theVteeth ,at vall times and .to control the .outward `directional movementof the-teeth, during the papercrimping operation,..as wille-be laterdescribed.

The bottom surfaceof the base portionof each of the teeth .is adapted.to -oyerlie .the extension casings'l'? and ld, ,as seen in Figure 4. Inthis respect, the .ends of .each of the elongated .teeth are resilientlymounted in the casing 55 by means of the compression springs A811 whichare connected between the end wall of ythe `extension casings 'l2and'llll .and the bottom surface of the base portion 'I6 vof each -ofthe teeth, adjacent the Opposing ends of the teeth. Thus, the teeth arenormally held entirely within the casing 54 but can be urged `outwardlyby lan external force and then returned to the casing through the-urgement-of the springs 84.

Means is provided for raising the `teeth from their respective similarcasings or housings 5:1 responsive to the travel path and movement ofthe upper and lower pairs of carriers or conveyors. The means providedcomprises a pair of oppositely extending operating studs lor lingers L85and 88 which are disposed through vertical slots v@il in the end walls-of the casi-ugs 5,4, as seen in Figures 3 and 4. The studs ,extendintegrally from each of :theteeth through the guideslots VSi! anditu-nc` tion to move theA teeth upwardly `from the .casing 54%responsive to vmovement of vthe :studs over `va,

cam surface. Thus, any suitable means may be provided, that could beconveniently and easily journaled in the path of travel of the teeth and'would be adaptable to engage the studs, which would ride upon and overthe means and thereby raise the teeth corresponding and coincidentallywith the movement of the upper and lower pair of chains or carriers.

In this respect, a pair of transversely opposed yupper idler wheels orpulleys I92 vare provided and a similar :lower pair 94 is provided,the'idler wheels 92 and 9d being` disposed in vertical alignment,

,as seen in Figure 2. The idler wheels, of course,

are smaller indiameter than the main sprockets and are disposedrearwardly from the center point ofthe .drive sprockets so that theteeth are at all timesin ,an upright position when the studs S6 andengage and travel on the annular periphery ofthe wheels. A pair of arms96 are adjustably carried by the pair of longitudinally extending brace`bars i8 through the medium of a laterally extending spindle f9.8 which-is `transversely inserted through .the .bars .i8 and adjiustably heldin thedesired position -by means .of the set screws ll, which verticallypenetrate the bars I8 and engage the pin 98.. At the opposite orangularly depending ends of the arms vSll are laterally ei;- tended stubaxles or the like H32, upon which the idler wheels 92 .are journaled.

VIn a vsimilar fashion, the pair of lower idler wheels '9d areadjustably held in .an angularly raised position in complementaryalignment with the idler wheels .9 Las seen in Figure 5.

It canbe appreciated that the idler wheels can be easily adjustedso. asto govern and control the raised ,movement of the teeth .64. Thus,depending upon the desired depth of Vfold and the type of materialftheidler wheels can be located in any adjusted -position so 4that the studsandSS are forced, `in their .movement on the circumference of thewheels, to movethe needed distance in the guide slots 96 and therebyraise the teeth yEll.

Suitable means is provided for maintaining under a definite pressure,the inter-engagement or meshing engagement of the upper and lower setsof teeth, 'carried by the vupper and lower pairs of conveyors, fas seenin Figure 1 .and preferably comprises 2,1 ,pair f of flipper, paralleloutwardly turned channel bars AM and i106 whichlongitudinally extend thedesired distance .in cooperative adjacency to a similarlydisposedpar'|08and I lll. The mes-hing engagement of the teeth is retained by thertravel Yci the ,studs 86 andll overthe opposing sur-aces or thevertically Opposed bars, as appreciated :upon :viewing Figure .2. Theretaining bars 164, i661, izi and H0 are `rigidlymaintained in the.desired-,position through the medium ora plurality of bracing bars 1 l2.which.vertically extend from the brace barsf 11'8 rand 2l] :and areboled "tothe retaining bars, as sseen in Figures 2 an The operationAorxthissmachine is believed ascertainable, with respect to Figure l ofthe-drawings. A roll lofxzpressible material |20 isconventionallyfmaintained'under a certain amount of tension at @one-.end.lof 'the lupper and '-lower pairs .oficarriersend .the anaterialisfed from the roll :into Aa .passagewayilzl ywhich is 'den-ned by the:close parallel 'travel .path ofthe upper and lower pairs -of conveyorsor lcarriers d -and t2. Of course, the vulziper-ancl lower pairsofchains or belts have the same rotating travel path. As the chains arerotated by the ,set -of sprockets, the transversely--disposed teeth varebrought into relation withv the! cams lor klid-1er -W-heels. Theextendappended claims.

ingstues on the teeth, which are vertieany da posed prior to engagementof ltheca'msor Wheelsj` engage' the-cams and ridelup and over theVvperiphery thereof. The travelxofthe studs on the cams or wheels raisesthe teeth and places thel `upp'erand lower sets of teeth in meshingengagement on the strip of material. .The teeth are i maintained inthecoactivepressing relationship by thelbars |04 and |06, |08 andV H10',.whichre-t Of course, the length of` theretaining bars, upon l `which`the studs travel, wouldzbe dependent upon ceivethe studs from `the camsvor Yidler wheels.

t the crimped sheet or materialto aA die or. stacking box |24, which isdisposedl .horizontally at the opposite endof the passageway..l

of material through the passageway butalso functions to move the crimpedApaper .into the stacking box |24, so that thesheet `of'material crimpedpaperbylmeans of the..

Thus, the meshy ing engagement of the teeth functions not only to Icrimpthe paper andlconveythe paper or sheet:

leaving the belt is pushed into .and through the n boXw, s

It is` to vbe particularly notedthat the studs when coming in contactwith the vcams or idler wheels or pulleys gently raise and lower theteeth,

` of the two carriersuntil full meshing engagement is obtained with thesheet between the two sets of teeth, the teeth maintaining this positionby the 1 extended studs transferring ofi" the idler wheels onto theslide bars of equal height for any i desired distance. The gradualraising and lowering of the teeth in contact with the paper preventsanytearing of the paper or prematurely crimping thereof.A The `springs84 `distinctively and certainly withdraw the teeth from meshing lposition so that uniform and accurate fold linesl are formed in thesheet of material. Y

Of course, glue lines may be applied to the sheet of material beforegoing to the crimper and the lines lcan be protected during the crimpingoperation by providing gaps or openings in the teeth at the requiredspacing.

In view of the drawings and foregoing description and operation, it isbelieved that the novelty and merits of this invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. However, since various uses ofthis device are possible, it is to be understood that certain changes inthe structure for moving the teeth and raising and lowering the teeth inmeshing engagement on a strip of material can be effected, the samecoming within the spirit of the invention and the s-cope of the Havingdescribed the invention, what is claimed as new is: ,e

1. A machine for crimping paper compnsing a pair of upper and lowerendless carriers having a parallel travel path in close cooperativerelation, a plurality of vtransverse members disposed between the upperand lower carriers forming a passageway for a continuous strip of paper,interengaging means operatively connected with said members forcooperatively engaging the strip and moving the strip through thepassageway and simultaneously forming folds therein,` means for movingsaid foregoing means into interengagement with the strip, meansextending a1ongthe`p'a`ssag'eway for retaining said-"stripene"gagingmeans 1n engagement withv thestrip and means connected betweensaid transverse'members-and the strip `engaging means vfor withdrawing'said strip, l

- 2. Amachine for crimping paper comprising a plurality of upper andlower complementary membersfhaving a parallel travel pathincloserelations forming a passageway for a strip `of paper, interengagingteeth carried by said members for engagingV the strip and moving thestrip in the passageway and simultaneouslyforming' folds-therein, meansdisposed in the path of travel vofrsaid teeth for moving said teeth intocomple mentary engagement with the strip, means -forv retaining-saidteeth in said engagement for a predetermined path of travel andresilient means connected between said members and the teeth forwithdrawing the strip.

,3.A machine for crimping paper comprising..

a `pairlof upper and lower .juxtaposed endless carriers having aparallel path of travel, channel` members .transversely disposed betweensaid carriers forming a, longitudinal passageway for a strip ofcontinuous paper, teeth disposed in said channel members for engagingthe strip and moving the strip `through the passageway simultaneously'`forming folds therein, meansA ,for pressing said teeth cooperatively vonthe str-ip, means for'` retaining said teeth vin pressing engagementandv release means connected between `the channel' members and saidteeth.

4. A machine for crimping paper comprising a set of cooperatively spacedupper and lower pairs ofendless conveyors having a parallel path/loftravel, channel members transversely disposed on said pairs ofconveyors, teeth resiliently mounted insaid channel members, means lforpressing said teeth into meshing` relation, `and means for retainingsaid teeth in said relation for a pre.- determined travel period.V i

Ina machine for crimping material an up-4 per and lower set ofcomplementary channelr members having a parallel path of travel in closerelation forming a passageway for a continuous strip of material, teethresiliently mounted in said channel members, means for raising saidteeth from the channel members and pressing the teeth into complementaryfold forming engagement of the strip, means for retaining said teeth insaid relation, and means for withdrawing the teeth from said relation. i

6. In a paper crimping device, a plurality of resiliently mounted teethdisposed in complementary opposed relation, means for urging said teethinto meshing engagement and means for retaining the teeth in saidengagement.

7. A paper crimping and stacking machine comprising a pair of upper andlower endless conveyors having a parallel path of travel in closerelation forming a passageway for a continuous strip of material, a diedisposed at one end of the passageway, channel members transverselycarried by said conveyors, teeth resiliently anchored in said channelmembers, means for raising said teeth from the channel members intomeshing engagement in the passageway for forming folds in the strip ofmaterial and conveying the multi-folded strip to the :die and means forretaining said teeth in said engagement for a predetermined path oftravel.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein said means for raising the teethincludes cams jourmeans from said `engagement with the the teeth fromengagement with ilaled. in Athe path oiv travel ofthe teeth, studsextending from said teeth and engageable on the i peripheryqofthe-cams.j

v.9. The combination yof claim 7, wherein Vsaid means for retaining theAteeth in meshingfenr transversely Carried by the conveyors, meansformovingrad ,teeth into meshing engagement of the stripforforming folds inthe strip andpacking the :multi-folded strip in the receiver box. meansextending longitudinally in the passageway for retaining said teeth insaid engagement for a predetermined path of travel and meansA for movingsaid teeth lvertically out of engagement with :said strip at thereceiver Abox end of the passageway.

`11.A paper crimping and stacking machine comprising a pair .ofcomplementary conveyors havingaparallel and adjacent path of travelforming a passageway for a continuous strip of material, intermeshingteeth transversely carried .by .the conveyors, means for moving saidteeth into Vmeshing engagement of the strip, means extendinglongitudinally in the passageway for retaining the teeth in saidengagement :for a predetermined path of travel and resilient means .formoving said teeth Yin a vertical plane out .of intermeshing` engagementwith the strip. 12A paper crimping andv stacking machine comprising a.pair of complementary conveyors.

having a parallel and adjacent path of travel forming a passageway for acontinuous strip of material, intermeshing teeth transversely carried.by the conveyors, adjustable cams disposedk adjacent said passagewayfor moving'said teeth into meshing engagement of the strip, means formoving .said teeth into meshing engagement of the'k strip, meansextending longitudinally inthe passageway; for retaining the teeth insaid engagementfforxa predetermined path of travel and resi-lient;meansfor moving said teeth in a vertical plane out-of-intermeshing engagementwith theY strip.

13. A paper crimping .and stacking machine comprising apairof endlessconveyors having a parallel-path 'of'travel lin close relation forming apassageway for a. continuous strip of material,

.members 'transversely carried by said conveyor,

interengaging teeth resiliently carried by said merlibers,l means formoving said teeth into intermeshing engagement of the strip, said teethforming folds'in theastrip .and'moving the same through thepassagewayand means extending longitudinally in thev passageway for holding theteeth in intermeshing engagement of the strip for a predetermined pathof travel.

14. YIn amaterialcrimping machine, an end- .less conveyor, aplurality oftransverse members carried Aby. theconveyor, .teeth resiliently mountedon the members, adjustable cams operatively engageable with said teeth`for raising the teeth from the members and means for retaining saidteeth raised from themember for a predetermined path .of travel.

vl5. Inl a kmaterial crimping machine, an endlessconveyor, a pluralityof transverse teeth car ried by the conveyor, means for resilientlymounting the teeth on the conveyor, means for raising saidteeth from theconveyor and means for retaining said teeth in a raised position for apredetermined-path of travel.

GERALD G. SAPP.

Y REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the leofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,263,577 Lochman Apr. 23, 19181',617,018' Federhart Feb. 8, 1927 2,350,996 Atkinson et al June 13,1944 2,428,979 May Oct. 14, 1947

